Neoregelia carolinae plant named `Gruvroe`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Neoregelia carolinae plant named Gruvroe, characterized by its rosette form and larger plant habit; long leaves which are strongly curved at the base, straight in the middle, and curved down at the ends; variegated leaves having a yellow center with very thin green stripes or striations and dark green margins approximately 8 mm in width, and its socket which is formed with short, wide dark red to purple leaves, with light purple flowers being formed in the middle of the socket.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofNeoregelia plant, botanically known as Neoregelia carolinae, andreferred to by the name Gruvroe.

The new cultivar is a mutation of the cultivar Perfecta Tricolor,disclosed in U.S. Plant pat. No. 3,971. The new cultivar was discoveredby inventor Luc Devroe in 1985 in a greenhouse in Lochristi, Belgiumgrowing among plants of the parent cultivar. The mutation was recognizeddue to its totally different leaf color and marking.

Subsequent asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by the inventor inLochristi, Belgium, by taking shoots of the newly discovered plant, hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and in combinationdistinguish Gruvroe as a new and distict cultivar:

1. The plant is large and rosette in form.

2. Gruvroe has about 40 leaves and is approximately 50 to 70 cm inoverall diameter when fully grown.

3. The leaves are strongly curved at the base, are then straight and alittle erect, and then bend down at the ends.

4. The leaves are long (about 30 cm) and about 5.5 cm wide. The marginis finely prickly.

5. The leaves are variegated, with the middle being light yellow withvery thin green stripes, and the margins (8 mm) dark green.

6. The socket is formed with short, very wide leaves in dark red topurple. The outer leaf margins and tips are dark green. Small lightpurple flowers are formed in the middle of the socket.

When comparing Gruvroe with the parent cultivar Perfecta Tricolor,similar characteristics are shape and color of the inflorescence, andthe general outlook of the plants. The differences are numerous. Gruvroeis a bigger plant and its leaves do not bend down as much as the leavesof Perfecta Tricolor. Further, in the variegated leaves of Gruvroe, thecenter is a deeper yellow center are thinner. Still further, the socketis somewhat larger.

Compared to Devroe, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,713, Gruvroe whengrown under similar conditions has a substantially narrower green bandsor striations, thereby giving the leaf interior a substantially yellowoverall appearance. In addition, the leaves forming the rosette inGruvroe are a much darker, cardinal red compared to the lighter cherryred rosette leaves of Devroe. Also, the flower head of Devroe is largerand extends higher in the plant.

When compared to Flandria, an unpatented cultivar which is the parent ofDevroe, there are major differences, including plant habit and leafcolor. Gruroe has a much more erect and full growth habit, and its leafcolor is completely dissimilar to Flandria in which the leaf margins arevery light yellow and the interior almost a solid green.

In the accompanying color photographic drawing, the photograph at thetop of the sheet is a top perspective view showing the leaves andinflorescence of a typical potted plant of Gruvroe. The photograph atthe bottom of the sheet is similar but somewhat enlarged to show theinflorescence in more detail. Colors are depicted as accurately aspossible with color reproductions of this type.

The following obervations, measurements and values describe plants grownin Lochristi, Belgium under greenhouse conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in horticultural practice. Colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) ColourChart, except where general color terms of ordinary significance areused. the color values were determined between 9.30 and 10.30 a.m. onJun. 14, 1994 under bright and sunny daylight conditions in Lochristi,Belgium.

Classification:

Botanical.--Neoregelia carolinae cv Gruvroe.

Commercial.--Neoregelia Gruvroe.

Parentage: A spontaneous mutation of the parent Perfecta Tricolor.

Propagation: Asexual propagation by offshoots.

Plant: About 20 cm tall and 50 to 70, cm in overall diameter when fullygrown (in a 12 cm pot). The leaves are strongly curved at the base, thenstraight and a little erect, and then bend down at the ends. The newcultivar has an excellent growth habit and is very vigorous.

Leaves:

Shape.--Oblong with tips bending down.

Size.--Length is approximately 30 cm. The width at the middle is 3.5 to4.5 l cm and at the tip is 1.5 cm. The dark green margins areapproximately 8 mm in width.

Margin.--Prickly.

Surface texture.--Mainly palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma.

Veins or ribs.--Slightly visible.

Color (R.H.S.).--Upper surface: Margin is closest to 147A but slightlydarker. The interior leaf color is yellow 3C-D with a few very thinstripes which are 147A in color. Lower surface: Generally similar incolor.

Rosette:

Leaves forming the socket.--Very short and about 5 cm wide.

Color.--Dark red to purple 53B-C but slightly more purple. The outerleaf margins and tips are dark green.

Flowers.--Arrangement: Small flower head. Color: Light purple 76A butslightly darker with a lighter edge. Fruit: Insignificant. Duration ofthe flowers: 2 to 3 months.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Filaments: White. Anthers: Light yellow.

Pistils.--Stigma: White. Style: White. Ovary: White.

Disease resistance: No disease problems noted to date.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Neoregelia carolinaeplant named Gruvroe, as illustrated and described.